A workshop hosted by the European Botanical Forum has highlighted European Union mutual recognition principles that are due to become law in May, 2009, as a way to benefit the herbal sector.
European botanicals group the Herbal Forum remains concerned about aspects of the process that is due to bring herbal products under the remit of the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (THMPD) by 2011.
Adding nutrients such as some herbal extracts, omega-3s, probiotics, glucosamine and more to the Food Supplements Directive (FSD) is impractical and unworkable, the European Commission has stated.
A UK medicines regulator committee has agreed proposals to encourage 100s of herbal products in the UK to be registered under the European Union Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (THMPD).
Momentum to amend Europe’s botanicals directive is growing despite the European Commission stating no part of the controversial legislation will be altered before May, 2011, when thousands of products without appropriate registrations may be wiped from...
Unilever is severing a multi-million euro arrangement with UK-based hoodia supplier, Phytopharm, after concluding the South African plant extract did not meet both safety and efficacy requirements.
Coffee and tea-based products are free from the caffeine labelling requirements of energy drinks. But is this in consumers’ best interests? Neil Merrett reports.
The UK Medicinal Health products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has warned a number of products being sold as “Golden Root Complex” to cease marketing themselves being registered and approved by the MHRA.
France has taken a step to liberalise its highly restrictive herbal regulations by issuing two national decrees that should allow for greater access to botanical supplements.
The energy drinks market is embracing natural ingredients and “sustainable, longer lasting energy” according to a new international report from Business Insights.
Botanicals manufacturer Bio-Health is proving smaller companies can
cut it in the thrust and tumble of life under the Traditional
Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (THMPD), by having a valerian
product registered in the UK.
Burgundy Botanical Extracts is continuing its transition from a
third-party supplier of herbal extracts to a "name player"
after its ownership was concentrated in the hands of one company.
Energy drinks have the potential to cause liver damage, heart
failure and even death and should carry warnings for certain
population groups, according to a German body.
A Guernsey-based company has been told by the voluntary watchdog,
the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), to withdraw an advert
for a prostate supplement because it failed to provide supporting
evidence for its claims.
NZTE is a government-backed scheme that has helped Kiwi ingredients start-ups compete with companies with much deeper pockets around the globe. Andrew Easdale, business development manager at NZTE's UK office, explains the benefits.
The Belgian Medicines Agency (AFMPS) has published further detail
of draft amendments to a Royal Decree that may switch the
classification of 250 herbal products from food and food supplement
ingredients to medicines.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) expects to process
applications for 1000-2000 health claims, 900 food additives and
2800 flavours in the next 12 months, according to EFSA executive
director, Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle.
A draft document on how to assess the safety of botanicals for use
in food and food supplements has been released by the European Food
Safety Authority (EFSA).
Extracts from black cohosh may stop breast cancer cells in their
tracks, suggests a new laboratory study involving scientists from
French botanicals supplier Naturex.
Mastertaste is aiming to tap two key trends for food formulation
with it new range of Active Botanicals: natural flavours and
perceived health benefits.
Californian beverage manufacturer Guayakí is launching a no-hype
yerba mate set to compete in the energy drinks category because of
the natural compounds found in the South American plant.
The European Commission is set to challenge Spain over its ban on
the import of herbal products before the European Court of Justice
- a policy it says is an unjustified and disproportionate barrier
to EU trade.
The European Botanical Forum has proposed a model for assessing the
safety of botanicals for use in food supplements – including a
'negative list' of botanics that should not be used due to safety
concerns – which it hopes...
Having a caffeine supplement, equivalent to about two cups of
coffee, an hour before exercise may reduce muscle pain afterwards
by 48 per cent, says researchers.
Hot flushes associated with the menopause are not helped by black
cohosh supplements, say results from the largest and longest trial
for the herb to date.
Scientists from the University of Illinois in Chicago have reported
for the first time just how black cohosh may alleviate hot flushes
in menopausal women - information previously lacking about the
herb.
Naturex is aiming to raise industry awareness of traditional
botanicals sourced from Morocco, ahead of unveiling nine new plants
that could provide dietary supplement makers with a raft of new
formulation options.
The UK herbal sector has reached an agreement with the medicines
regulator over labelling of black cohosh products with liver injury
warnings, and has asked it to review the safety data again next
year.
This week's warnings on the black cohosh and potential liver damage
may be the first time many general practitioners have heard of the
herbal, says complementary health expert, underscoring the need for
doctors to be aware of...
The UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
is introducing warnings labels for black cohosh products on
potential liver damage, following reports from two committees that
have reviewed the safety data...
University of Birmingham researchers have reported that caffeine
can boost nerve cell activity in the brain, potentially protecting
against memory loss.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition is seeking to expand its team
of scientific experts with the appointment of an in-house
botanicals expert to build awareness of research in the field and
represent the organisation before government...
The role of caffeine in the health of premature and low birth
weight babies has come under scrutiny with two studies, one
investigating the impact of mothers' intake during pregnancy and
the other adding to existing evidence...
Australia's Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) has taken a
tough stance over the safety record of black cohosh, requiring that
OTC and alternative medicines containing the herbal must carry a
warning for the potential harm...
Drinking caffeine drinks appears to stifle the body's ability to
boost blood flow to the heart during exercise, suggests new
research out of Switzerland.
The UK's medicines regulator is warning consumers not to purchase
or use certain African herbal remedies which may contain toxic
herbal ingredients that could cause life threatening conditions.
An Austrian research team has unveiled good news for the makers of
energy and stimulant drinks, with evidence that caffeine delivers
visibly increased brain activity that stimulates short-term memory.
New laws on herbal medicinal products being brought in across
Europe this weekend are likely to push up prices over coming years
as manufacturers meet high costs for registering their products.
Taking supplements of the herbal black cohosh is unlikely to offer
much relief from menopausal hot flushes, conclude the US
researchers on a new trial.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including herbal
supplements, could make a cost-effective contribution to health
care in the UK, according to a report commissioned by the Prince of
Wales.
